Powder Coat as a Substrate?

[trecenters]

Hello,

I was wanting to know, has anyone has made their own DyeSub products using Powder coating?

I have been researching ways to decorate a Non-DyeSub item. I have seen the Digicoat and similar sprays and heard the bad opinions, but I was wanting to know if anyone has used plain white powdercoat to prep items.

I have seen a few sites mention that they use powdercoating.

I wanted to ask before I went all out buying printer, ink, and started trying to develop a vacuum pressure-wrap system.

Has anyone ever tried powder or know what substance is used for making the substrate for the blanks? Everywhere I see pretty much says its powder coat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKDIYotMsng
http://www.powdercoatingspecialties.com/sublimation/
http://www.pcimag.com/articles/93688-dy ... er-coating

Thanks for your time,
Travis


hmmm, Not sure if I blew everyone's mind on this or if its just old news and no one cares for it.

[westie]

Interesting thanks.
Everything I've read says sublimation requires substrate to have a polyester coating. However, in your youtube link the guy talks about a polyurethane coating - that's not the same as polyester.
There's a discussion here that may give you some clues:
http://www.finishing.com/465/05.shtml

[pisquee]

There are polyester based powder coats available that will work for sublimation - we did have some talks with a local powder coating factory, but their research found that the products which would be suitable for sublimation are only available in USA - It's not just the polyester base you need, but it needs to be able to withstand the heat it needs to be heated to without cracking/burning etc.

[Andrew]

It is a wider spectrum than polyester and there are various types of polymer that will sublimate. These things are trial and error. Have a look at the patent for RN coating and that gives a bit more of an idea. One of the key parts can be picked up from an automotive paint supplier or at least something very similar.